Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses concluding session of IAAAE Annual Symposium

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses concluding session of IAAAE Annual Symposium

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says that serving humanity is an essential part of Islamic faith

On 13 May 2017, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, addressed the Annual Symposium of the European chapter of the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE). The symposium took place at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in south-west London.

During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad praised the work of IAAAE and directed that it should seek to increase its humanitarian activities. He also said that the members of the IAAAE should look to improve upon any shortcomings or weaknesses.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“By the Grace of Allah, over the past thirteen or fourteen years the IAAAE European Chapter has done some excellent work and each year more and more people are becoming involved in its various projects and schemes. I am pleased to see that new volunteers are joining the IAAAE each year and offering their services for the sake of Islam and humanity in this way.”

His Holiness said that many young Ahmadi Muslims had made sacrifices in order to dedicate their lives for the sake of serving God and mankind.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“With the Grace of Allah, there are some young Ahmadi Muslim life-devotees who have now gained very good experience with external companies but rather than seeking to pursue wealth, they are motivated only by a desire to serve the faith and to serve humanity. Thus, they are fulfilling their pledge to serve the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community full-time and are entirely content to receive just the very basic allowance provided by the Community.”

His Holiness said such a spirit was not just found amongst Ahmadi Muslims in Europe, rather Ahmadi Muslims across the world were using their expertise to serve mankind in various projects such as the model village scheme and Water for Life project, through which the IAAAE is installing new water pumps or rehabilitating older ones.

His Holiness said that it was the religious duty of Ahmadi Muslims to try to help deprived and vulnerable members of society.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“As a Community, our resources are very limited, but nonetheless we should utilise whatever resources we do have in the very best way, so that we can provide clean drinking water to as many people as possible.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“Remember, it will always remain our duty to serve those who are less fortunate, to care for them, and to seek to remove their pain and hardships.”

Concluding, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Many of our volunteers, who have grown up in the comfort of the Western world, have travelled to the most remote and deprived parts of Africa solely in the cause of serving humanity. They have travelled along dusty and broken roads and even reached places where there are no roads at all.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“I am always very surprised at how patiently they tolerate the extremely difficult and challenging conditions and focus on fulfilling their duties with a smile on their faces. I greatly appreciate their sincere efforts and I pray that may Allah reward them immensely for this service and bless their efforts manifold.”

Earlier in the evening, a report was presented by Mr Muhammad Akram Ahmedi, theChairman of the IAAAE (European Chapter), in which he outlined the main activities and projects of theIAAAEduring the past year. He informed that the theme of the symposium was ‘Harnessing nature in serving humanity’ and numerous lectures were delivered in this regard.

He also informed that in the past year the IAAAE had established 5 Model Villages, providing various facilities including sanitation, agriculture, electricity and clean drinking water in remote African villages. Various other projects were also being run simultaneously including Water for Life and the construction of Mosques.

The event concluded with a silent prayer lead by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.